Display carton



Nov. 29, 1938; I w. A. RINGLER DISPLAY CARTON p v Filed Dec. 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Nov. 29, 1938. w. A. RINGLER v 3 9 DISPLAY CARTON I v Filed Dec. 19, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS W. A. RINGLER Nov. 29, 1938.

DISPLAY CARTON Filed Dec. 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 d 1 I NVENTOR fiiZzam 1].

22 a K Zi ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE tional Folding Box Company, New Haven,

Conn, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,143

Claims.

This invention relates to cartons and more particularly to a paperboard box or carton having an easel associated therewith adapted to support the box or carton in display position.

In accordance with this invention, the box or carton may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material having front, rear and side wall sections secured together to provide a tubular body. A bottom-forming section and an interior floor section are both hingedly connected to the front wall section. An easel is provided which is formed from a single flap extending from the rear wall section of the carton. The lower end of the easel is provided with collapsing sections which permit collapse of the easel so that it will lie flat against the rear wall section when in collapsed shipping or storing position. If desired, the carton may be packed with goods with a suitable cover applied and the goods shipped and stored in the carton with the easel collapsed against the back. When the carton is to be set up for display, the cover is removed and the easel will automatically spring outwardly into supporting position.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined shipping and display carton having a selfsetting easel associated therewith, all of which may be made from a single blank of paperboard material on automatic machinery at low cost, the easel being so constructed that it will automatically adjust itself to support the display carton in attractive display position.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

In order that a clearer understanding of this invention may be had, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, the said drawings intending to illustrate by way of example only a few of the many uses to which this invention and the principles involved therein may be put.

Fig. 1 shows a blank which has been suitably cut and scored ready for assembly into a display carton, said carton having a self-setting easel associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a partially assembled display carton formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the partially assembled display carton shown in Fig. 2, particularly illustrating the self-setting easel associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is a rear perspective View of the carton and associated supporting easel as it appears at a more advanced stage of assembly;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the carton and associated easel about to be placed in display position, this figure also showing in dotted lines the position which the display carton and easel will take when completely set up for display;

Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the carton showing the easel folded fiat against the carton;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the set up carton and supporting easel looking at the front thereof, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an easel associated with a carton of somewhat modified form in that the carton has associated with it a combination display card and closure, the display card being shown extended into display position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the completely assembled carton shown in Fig. 7, the combined display card and closure being shown in closed position;

Fig. 9 shows a blank which has been suitably cut and scored to provide a display carton having associated therewith a self setting easel and a display card of further modified form;

Fig. 10 is a rear perspective view of the modified carton partially assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 9, this view illustrating particularly the construction of the self-setting easel and display card associated therewith;

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of the modified carton shown in Fig. 10, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate certain features of the construction; and

Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of the completed carton assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 9, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the position of the parts when fully assembled and arranged in display position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, a carton is here shown having associated therewith a self-setting easel all formed from a single blank of paperboard material. The car'- ton may comprise a rear Wall I, a front wall 2 and side walls 3 and 4 defined by score line 6. The front, rear and side walls may be assembled in tubular form by means of a tab 5 hinged to the rear wall I along the score line 6 which may be glued or otherwise secured to the free edge of the side wall 4. The bottom of the carton may be formed from suitable tabs 9 hinged respectively to the side walls 3 and 4 along the score line 6, which tabs are turned inwardly when the carton glue or other means to the inside face of the rear wall I, or if desired, tab 8 may be so shaped as to frictionally engage the rear wall I and the side Walls 3 and 4 to retain the bottom flap I in closed position as indicated in Fig. 4, It will be understod that the carton'above described is intended to illustrate only one embodiment of my invention. Cartons having any polygonal cross section may be used within the contemplation of this invention. It is also understood that the bottom of the carton may be formed of any well known assembly of tabs and flaps held together by interlocking tongues, .ears, hooks or other means.

The self-setting easel may be formed as. an integral part of the rear wall I, the easel comprising a brace portion 23 connected to the rear wall I by means of collapsible sections 20 and 2|. The section 20 is hinged to the rear wall I along the score line 6 and the section ;2I is hinged to the brace portion 23 along the score line 6. The

sections 20 and 2| collapse along the hinge line 24 and preferably collapse outwardly in the manner illustrated in Fig. ,5. The free end of the brace portion 23 may be suitably secured to the rear wall I by a tab portion 26 which may be inserted through a suitable slit 28 in the rear wall I. The tab portion 26 may be provided with laterally extending ears 2'! hinged to the tab portion 26 along the score lines 30. The cars 21 are folded to overlie the tab portion 26 when inserted through the slit 28 and when the tab 26 has been inserted the ears 2! automatically expand outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6 to securely lock the free end of the brace portion 23 to the rear wall I of the carton. The tab portion ,26 is separated from the brace portion 23 by a suitable neck 29 having a length which approximates or is slightly greater than the thickness of the rear wall I. Other means for securing the free end of the brace portion 23 to the rear wall I may be provided, and the tab portion 26 and associated ears 2'! are shown solely for the purpose of illustration.

The brace portion 23 is perferably provided with a wing portion 25 hinged along each side edge thereof along the score line B. The wing portions 25 serve to stiffen and reinforce the brace portion 23 when the wings are turned inwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The selfsetting easel as thus constructed will .support a substantial weight of material in inclined display position.

The display carton illustrated may be provided with a sloping bottom wall as more particularly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, so that when the carton is set up for display the same will be inclined rearwardly at an attractive angle. This inclination can be effected by providing score lines 6 separating the bottom tabs 9 respectively from the side walls 3 and 4, which score lines extend rearwardly at an acute angle from the score lines 6 which define the side walls 3 and 4 from the front wall 2, all of which is clearly evident from an inspection of Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawin s.

To give clear visibility to the contents of the carton when arranged in display position, I have found it desirable to cut a window or opening in the front wall 2, and I make use of the material so removed to further reinforce and strengthen the bottom of the container. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 6, vertically extending cut lines I5 are provided which parallel but are spaced inwardly of the score line 6 which defines the vertical front edges of the carton, defining inwardly extending flanges 2awhich give a frame effectto the front wall to prevent the contents from tumbling out from the carton. The cut lines l5 extend short of the score line 6 which separates the bottom flap I from the front wall 2. The cut lines I5 are connected by a transverse score line I8. The cutout portion of the front wall may be turned inwardly along the 'score line I8 as shown in Fig. 6, providing a floor section I2 upon which the contents may be supported. A rear wall liner portion I4 hinged to the floor section I2 along the score line I9 is adapted to lie against the inside face of the rear Wall I of the carton as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The rear wall portion I4 may be provided with wings I6 which frictionally grip the inside face: of the side walls 3 and 4 to hold the floor section I12 and rear wall liner portion I l in fixed assembled position. The merchandise may be placed and supported upon the floor section I2 shown in Fig. 6 and may be held from falling out of the carton by the inwardly extending flange portions 2a.. The merchandise is made clearly visible through the window opening provided in the front wall and the carton and the merchandise is held at an attractive inclined angle by the self-setting easel associated with the rear wall of the carton. A most attractive display carton which can be economically formed from a single blank of paperboard material is thus provided.

If an inclined floor section I2 as shown in Fig. 6 is not desired, the cutaway section of the front wall may be scored along the score line 52, as shown in Fig. '7, to provide a section 53, which folds inwardly against the inside face of the front wall 2. The floor portion I3 will then lie flat against the inturned tabs 9, as shown in Fig. 7.

The blank can be cut and scored from large sheets of paperboard to provide blanks as shown in Fig. 1 with very little waste of material. Thesecuring tabs 5 may be glued and affixed to the free edge of the side walls 4 by an automatic gluing machine at a rapid rate. The cartons can be shipped and stored in flat collapsed condition until ready to receive the goods. The carton can be quickly set up by the packer by assembling the bottom and connecting the free end of the easelforming-flap to the rear wall of the carton. The easel can be collapsed to lie substantially flat against the rear wall .of the carton so as to occupy a minimum space. The merchandise may be packed directly in the set up carton shown in Fig. 6 and when the merchant desires to display the goods he merely sets the carton on the counter or other flap support and the easel automatically moves into carton supporting position as'shown I in Fig. 6. The collapsing sections 20 and 2I of the easel may be arranged to fold outwardly as shown in Fig. 5 so that when the carton is placed on the counter for display the sections 20 and 2| 3 will be pressed inwardly into expanded position.

The outwardly collapsing arrangement of the sections 20 and 2| is generally preferred, although it is understood that the sections 20 and 2| may be arranged to collapse inwardly as shown in Fig. 7. The collapsing sections 20 and 2| serve as a tension means or strut which holds the braced portion 23 in proper expanded position.

A modified form of carton is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the modification consisting particularly in the provision of a display card flap extending from the upper edge of the rear wall I, which may also serve as a closure for the carton. The combined display card and closure may comprise a top wall closure portion 48 and a front wall closure portion 49 floldable along the score line 50. When arranged in display card position the top closure portion 48 extends upwardly from the rear wall I to which it is hinged along the score line SI, and thefront wall closure portion 49 overlies the portion 48 and may be bowed if desired to give it an attractive display appearance, as shown in Fig. 7. The lower edge of the portion 49 may be held in fixed position by tucking it back of the tab 26 inserted through the slit 28 in the rear wall I. When the carton is to be closed the front wall closure portion 49 is lifted out of engagement with the tab portion 26 and is inserted between the merchandise packed in the carton and the inwardly extending flanges 2a, as fully shown in Fig. 8. A combined closure and display card formed entirely from a flap which extends from the upper edge of the rear wall I is thus provided.

It will be noted that the entire carton shown in Figs. 7 and 8, including the self-setting easel and the combined display card and closure, may all be formed from a single blank of paperboard material. This carton can thus be economically produced on automatic machinery, and it can be shipped and stored in collapsed flat condition until ready for use. The goods are packed therein by the merchant and the closure flap portions 48 and 49 are placed in the position shown in Fig. 8 to fully enclose and protect the contents. When the carton is to be set up for display the front wall closure portion I9 is lifted and held in display position in any suitable manner. The easel will automatically expand rearwardly into carton-supporting position.

A further modified carton construction is shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. In this construction the tuck-in fiap 8 may be provided with locking ears 39 extending laterally therefrom. The locking ears 39 are folded fiat against the tuck-in flap 8 when the flap 8 is inserted into the carton and when released Will expand outwardly against the inside face of the side walls 3 and 4 and will rest against the tabs 9 to lock the bottom wall flap I in fixed closed position.

The supporting easel may also be provided with a display card portion 34 which extends above the top edge of the rear wall I. The display card portion 34 is connected to the top edge of the brace portion 3| through an extension portion 33, which is adapted to lie flat against the inside face of the rear wall I.

In assembling the carton the display card portion 34 is inserted through an elongated slit 31 in the rear wall I and then drawn through the slit until the stuck-out ears 35 extending from the top edge of the easel portion 3| strikes the outside face of the rear wall I. The connecting portion 33 will then rest against the inside face of the rear wall I and the display card portion will extend above the top edge of the rear wall I, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The brace portion 3I may be provided with the wing portions 25 which serve to reinforce and stiffen the braced portion 3| of the easel.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display carton formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, front, rear and side walls, a bottom wall closing one end of the carton arranged to lie at an acute angle with respect to said front wall so that the carton will be free to incline rearwardly when resting on said bottom wall, and an easel integrally connected to the lower end of said rear wall to support the carton in erect display position, said easel including a brace having its upper end projected through said rear wall, and a collapsible strut extending from said brace to said rear wall, said front wall having a section cut therefrom and foldable rearwardly to provide an inclined bottom supporting the goods packed within said carton, and a flap extending upwardly from said section and positioned against the rear wall of the carton to overlie the projecting end of said brace.

2. A display carton formed from a single blank of paperboard material and including front, rear and side walls, a bottom wall closing one end of the carton arranged to lie at an acute angle with respect to said front wall so that the carton will be free to incline rearwardly when resting on said bottom wall, a collapsible easel integrally connected to said rear wall to support the carton in erect display position, said easel having a free end projecting into said carton, said front wall having a flap integral therewith and foldable rearwardly to provide a floor portion and a rear flap portion integral with and extending upwardly from said floor and positioned against the rear wall of the carton, the side edges of said rear flap portion extending to and abutting the side walls of said carton.

3. A display carton formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a front wall section, a rear wall, side walls connecting said front and rear walls, tab portions extending from said side walls, a bottom section integral with said front wall section and forming a bottom closure for the container, a floor section integral with said front wall section, a rear flap integrally extending from the rear of said floor section and lying against the rear wall to provide a reinforcement extending across the entire width of the rear wall, an easel-forming flap extending from said rear wall, and means including a tab extending from said easel-forming flap and projectable through the rear of said carton for securing the free end of said easel-forming flap to the rear Wall of the carton, said easel including collapsible sections permitting flat collapse of said easel against said rear wall of the carton.

4. A display carton including a rear wall, side walls hinged to said rear wall and having inclined lower edges, interengaging hook flaps integral with and extending from the bottom edges of said side walls, a bottom wall extending on the outside of said hook flaps to provide with said flaps a double ply, reinforcement extending entirely across the Width of the carton bottom, a lower front wall section, a floor integrally and hingedly connected to said lower front wall section and extending downwardly and rearwardly from the top edge of said lower front wall section to the junction of the bottom wall and the rear wall, an inside rear liner flap integrally and hingedly connected to and extending upwardly from the rear edge of said floor and abutting the side walls to provide with said rear wall a double ply reinforcement extending entirely across the width of the carton rear wall above the bottom edge thereof, and an easel integrally and hingedly connected at one end to said rear Wall and having a tongue portion projecting through a slit at the rear of the carton, and means preventing undesired removal of said tongue portion from said slit, said easel being flatly collapsible against the rear wall of said carton without removal of said tongue from said slit.

5. A display carton having a substantially open front and including a rear wall, side walls hinged to said rear wall and having inclined lower edges, flaps integral with and extending from the bottom edges of said side walls, a bottom wall extending on the outside of said flaps to provide with said flaps a bottom closure, a lower front wall section, a floor integrally and hingedly connected to said lower front wall section, an, inside rear liner flap integrally and hingedly connected to and extending upwardly from the rear edge of said floor and abutting the side walls to provide with said rear wall a double ply reinforcement extending entirely across the width of the carton rear wall, and an easel integrally and hingedly connected at one end to said rear wall and flatly collapsible against the rear wall of said carton.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER. 

